There are many factors that impact whether a dog warms to someone, or becomes wary of them. Throughout this article, you will learn the various factors that impact the opinion a dog will form of you. Following these tips will increase the chances you can make a meaningful connection with a dog, whether that be yours, or a friend's. 

Smell

Dogs have an excellent sense of smell. Just like people, dogs have a preference to smell. Dogs with an incredible sense of smell are picky with who they like or dislike. When a dog meets a new person, its first move will be to sniff them.

The Factual Doggo state that if the person has a pleasant smell, the dog will be playful and friendly around them; however, if it has an unpleasant odor, such as sweat and alcohol, the dog will not stick around. Dogs dislike certain smells, such as citrus, mothballs, alcohol, and vinegar. Most dogs are drawn to pleasant fragrances, and one can use this to attract more attention from a dog pet.

Past Life Experience

Dogs form strong bonds with people who care for and treat them well in their early life stages. A dog will prefer a person of similar traits as the person who was their first human pet and be more social around them. Therefore, positive interactions and socialisation of puppies for the first six months of their life is encouraged as it dictates the people they will like and prefer to socialise with.

Traumatic experiences in the past may influence a rescued dog's preference for people. Dogs are generally intelligent; if they interact with someone who reminds them of their horrible histories, they fold or move elsewhere. Dogs tend not to like a person with a similar physical appearance and gender to a past owner who mistreated them.

Emotional Clues

Dogs are not only smart beings but also emotional. A dog can tell the difference in tone, which will dictate how it behaves. A dog will prefer a person who uses a high-pitched, joyful voice and respond positively. However, dogs react negatively to people who speak in deep, low, angry voices. It triggers fear and activates their protective nature rather than a friendly, playful side. Often it is the reason why most dogs prefer women to men.

Personality Alignment

Dogs tend to like people who have the same personality as theirs. The more a person has in common with a dog, the more likely the dog will prefer them to other people. For instance, a Gold Retriever will prefer an extroverted, active person, while a Basset Hound will prefer a calmer person. Dogs can pick and relate to a person's character and personality.

Body Language

Dogs interpret body movements differently from humans. Some people try to attract a dog's attention by maintaining eye contact, which does not work; instead, the dog draws away from the person. 

Forcing a hug and making dramatic signs with one’s arm is also not liked by most dogs. Giving slight soft-eye glances to dogs is advised, which they respect and interpret as a natural move. They do not like people who are covered up too much, for example, a person in a dark jacket, hat, and sunglasses. Dogs tend to be defensive and close up when they cannot see a person’s eyes.

Associations

Dogs have a great sense of good and bad cop. They will lean towards the person who is more fun and less up-tight with rules. Dogs prefer people who are more accommodating and snuggle with them on a warm couch to those that make them lie on a cold rug on the floor. A person can win favor with a dog through playtime, massages, and special treats. Dogs prefer and like people who are kind and warm.

How Someone Interacts With Other People

Dogs prefer people who help each other in difficult situations. Dogs tend to observe and make social evaluations just like humans do. They can tell when a person is inattentive and ignoring the other person and end up not liking them. Dogs warm up quickly to people who are more caring of other people and offer to help when someone needs help.

As a result, you need to be wary of not just how to treat the dog directly, but how the dog sees you treat others around you. If you are nice to the dog, but then mean to the people around you, the dog will notice this and become suspicious or wary of you.

Time, Attention, And Affection

Dogs tend to prefer people who show them more attention and love. Quality time spent playing, training, and feeding dogs dictates how much they love and care for their owner. Dogs tend to form a close bond with present and attentive people. Like people, dogs have a love language that most attentive people can tell, take advantage of, and gain favor and liking of the dog.

There is simply no substitute for spending quality time with a dog. Time gives the dog more opportunities to get to know you and observe you and start to trust you.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, there are many things that impact whether a dog will like you. Some you can easily control and some you cannot. If you focus on those you can control, and approach a new dog with an open mind and open heart, you will give yourself the best possible chance of connection and bonding.